How to use Google Maps offline
Lisa Du is director of ReadyTechGo, a service that helps people gain the confidence and skills to embrace modern technology.
With holiday season coming up, I thought I'd do another tip focused on travelling overseas.
When I travel, I love exploring and getting myself lost. I usually rely on my handy smartphone to navigate me back, or to look up my next destination.
How do I navigate without an internet connection?
Google Maps has a very handy feature called Offline Areas. This allows you to download maps of certain areas onto your phone so you can access the map when you are not connected to the internet (like when you are roaming down local streets).
The limitations
When you download the maps, you need to have an internet connection, so it's best to do this when you are using wifi in your hotel.
Once you have downloaded the "Offline area", you will only be able to access driving directions. The walking and cycling directions are only available "online" (with an internet connection).
How to download google maps and use offline areas:
On Apple devices, visit the App Store and download Google Maps
One Android Devices, visit the Play Store and download Google Maps
1. Make sure you are connected to wifi, and open the Google Maps app.
2. Tap into the Search field, and type the name of a place or address Eg. I'm looking for a restaurant called Morning Glory in Hoi An.
3. When the result appears, tap on the place.
4. Tap on the 3 dots that appear in the top right.
5. Tap Download offline map.
6. Make sure you are connected to wifi, and open the Google Maps app.
7. Use your fingers to drag the square and determine the size of the offline area you would like to download (Note that Google Maps shows you how much space this will use on your phone).
8. Tap Download
Test out the offline map by switching “aeroplane mode” on your phone. If you can navigate that are using Google Maps, then you have correctly installed offline maps!
Just be mindful that you do need storage available on your device so that you can download the map area.